Electronic device and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing an electronic device includes the steps of: providing a display panel; providing a polarizer including a polarizer layer at an outermost layer thereof on the display panel; irradiating a laser beam onto a portion of the polarizer layer; and providing a substantially neutral solution having a temperature from about 5° C. to about 40° C. onto the portion of the polarizer layer irradiated with the laser beam.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0041972, filed on Apr. 7, 2020, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a method ofmanufacturing the same and, more particularly, to an electronic devicehaving a polarizing plate from which polarization is partiallyeliminated and a method of manufacturing the electronic device.

Discussion of the Background

In recent years, various portable electronic devices are coming intowide use, and their functions are being diversified. Users preferelectronic devices with a larger display area and a smaller bezel area.To this end, various types of electronic devices are being developed,and for example, an electronic device in which a camera and a sensoroverlap the display area is being developed.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forunderstanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and,therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute priorart.

SUMMARY

Applicant realized that there is a need to partially increase thetransmittance of a polarizing plate of a display device in order toallow the camera to overlap the display area.

Electronic devices constructed according to principles and exemplaryimplementations of the invention have improved light transmittance in aportion of the display area overlapping an electronic module, such as acamera or sensor. For example, the light transmittance may be improvedby removing polarization from a portion of a polarizing plate. Methodsof manufacturing the electronic device in accordance with the principlesand exemplary embodiments of the invention can provide improved lighttransmittance in portion of the display area overlapping an electronicmodule.

According to the principles and some exemplary embodiments of theinvention, the residual light-absorbing material on the polarizer layercan be removed by irradiating a laser beam onto the polarizer layer andusing a neutral solution, which avoids the color change phenomenon thatwould otherwise occur in the polarizer layer, thereby improving thelight transmittance. In addition, the light transmittance of the displayarea of the electronic device can increase without physically removing aportion of the polarizer layer overlapping the electronic module.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing anelectronic device includes the steps of: providing a display panel;providing a polarizer including a polarizer layer at an outermost layerthereof on the display panel; irradiating a laser beam onto a portion ofthe polarizer layer; and providing a substantially neutral solutionhaving a temperature from about 5° C. to about 40° C. onto the portionof the polarizer layer irradiated with the laser beam.

The laser beam may have a wavelength substantially equal to or greaterthan about 340 nm and substantially equal to or smaller than about 810nm.

The laser beam may have a continuous wave laser beam.

The laser beam may have a pulse laser beam having a pulse width of ananosecond or longer.

The method of claim 1, wherein the laser beam has an outputsubstantially equal to or greater than about 0.5 W and equal to orsmaller than about 10 W.

The neutral solution may include a water.

The polarizer layer may include an elongated film and a light-absorbingmaterial adsorbed to the elongated film, the step of irradiating of thelaser beam may include detaching the light-absorbing material, and thestep of providing of the neutral solution may include extracting thedetached light-absorbing material.

The light-absorbing material may include at least one of iodine anddichroic dye.

The display panel may include a first area defining a hole; and a secondarea surrounding at least a portion of the first area, with the portionof the polarizer layer irradiated with the laser beam overlapping thefirst area.

The step of irradiating the laser beam onto the portion of the polarizerlayer may include patterning the portion of the polarizer layer tocreate a plurality of non-polarization portions and a polarizationportion at least partially surrounding the non-polarization portions.

The non-polarization portions may be made by laser beams emitted from aplurality of light sources.

The polarizer may include a polarizing plate that includes: thepolarizer layer and a protective layer disposed under the polarizerlayer; and a retarder disposed under the protective layer.

According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic deviceincludes: an electronic module; a display panel including a first areaoverlapping the electronic module and a second area at least partiallysurrounding at least a portion of the first area; and a polarizerdisposed on the display panel and including a polarizer layer, whereinthe polarizer layer has a polarization area and a transmission areaoverlapping the first area with at least a portion of the transmissionarea including a non-polarization portion.

The non-polarization portion may have a light transmittancesubstantially equal to or greater than about 80%.

The polarizer layer may include an elongated film member; and alight-absorbing material adsorbed to the film member, and thenon-polarization portion of the transmission area is a portion whereinthe light-absorbing material is detached from the film member.

The light-absorbing material may include at least one of iodine anddichroic dye.

The transmission area may include: a plurality of non-polarizationportions; and a polarization portion at least partially surrounding thenon-polarization portions.

The display panel may include a pixel layer having a plurality of lightemitting areas and a non-light-emitting area at least partiallysurrounding the plurality of light emitting areas, and thenon-polarization portions to overlap at least a portion of thenon-light-emitting area.

The electronic module may include a camera module.

A window may be disposed on the polarizer; and an adhesive layer may bedisposed between the polarizer and the window.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theinventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronicdevice constructed according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of theelectronic device EA, which is taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa portion of a polarizing plate, which is taken along line II-II′ ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of a method ofmanufacturing an electronic device according to the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an operation of the method ofmanufacturing the electronic device

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating another exemplary embodiment of an operation of the methodof manufacturing the electronic device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of an operation of themethod of manufacturing the electronic device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating yet another exemplary embodiment of an operation of themethod of manufacturing the electronic device.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating another exemplary embodiment of an electronic deviceconstructed according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic deviceconstructed according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of apolarizer layer constructed according to the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 12 is a graphical depiction illustrating light transmittance as afunction of wavelength according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of theinvention. As used herein “embodiments” and “implementations” areinterchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of devices ormethods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosedherein. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details or with one or moreequivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplaryembodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. Forexample, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of anexemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplaryembodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are tobe understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of someways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice.Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components,modules, layers, films, panels, sections, regions, and/or aspects, etc.(hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), ofthe various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated,interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings isgenerally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Assuch, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shadingconveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particularmaterials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalitiesbetween illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic,attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further,in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When anexemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific processorder may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an elementor layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term“connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection,with or without intervening elements. Further, the D1-axis, the D2-axis,and the D3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangularcoordinate system, such as the x, y, and z-axes, and may be interpretedin a broader sense. For example, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and theD3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent differentdirections that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposesof this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least oneselected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as Xonly, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z,such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various types of elements, these elements should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element fromanother element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed asecond element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), andthe like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, todescribe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustratedin the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/ormanufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. Forexample, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms“substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms ofapproximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized toaccount for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or providedvalues that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrationsof idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should notnecessarily be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapesof regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from,for instance, manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in thedrawings may be schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions maynot reflect actual shapes of regions of a device and, as such, are notnecessarily intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronicdevice constructed according to the principles of the invention. FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device of FIG. 1. FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of the electronicdevice EA, which is taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2. Hereinafter, theelectronic device EA according to the exemplary embodiments will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The electronic device EA may be a device that is activated in responseto an electrical signal. For example, the electronic device EA may beapplied to or take the form of a computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a television set, or the like. The electronic device EA may beapplied to other electronic items as long as they do not depart from theprinciples of the invention. In some exemplary embodiments, a smartphonewill be described as a representative example of the electronic deviceEA.

The electronic device EA may be flexible, namely, that the electronicdevice EA has a flexible property, and the electronic device EA may befully bent or may be bent in the scale of a few nanometers. For example,the electronic device EA may be, but not limited to, a generally curvedelectronic device or a generally foldable electronic device. Inaddition, the electronic device EA may be substantially rigid.

Referring to FIG. 1, a window WM may include a front surface FS exposedto the outside. A front surface FS of the electronic device EA may bedefined by the front surface FS of the window WM. The electronic deviceEA may display an image IM through the front surface FS. The frontsurface FS may be defined by a surface substantially parallel to asurface defined by a first directional axis DR1 and a second directionalaxis DR2. The front surface FS includes a display area TA and a bezelarea BZA defined adjacent to the display area TA.

In the illustrated embodiment, front (or upper) and rear (or lower)surfaces of each member are defined with respect to a direction in whichthe image IM is displayed. The front and rear surfaces are opposite toeach other in a third directional axis DR3.

Directions indicated by the first, second, and third directional axesDR1, DR2, and DR3 may be relative to each other and may be changed toother directions. Hereinafter, first, second, and third directionsrespectively correspond to directions indicated by the first, second,and third directional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3 and are assigned with thesame reference numerals as those of the first, second, and thirddirectional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3.

The image IM may be displayed through the display area TA of theelectronic device EA. The image IM may include at least one of a stillimage and a motion image. FIG. 1 shows a clock widget and applicationicons as a representative example of the image IM.

The display area TA may have a generally quadrangular shapesubstantially parallel to the first directional axis DR1 and the seconddirectional axis DR2. However, this is merely exemplary, and the displayarea TA may have a variety of shapes, and it should not be limitedthereto or thereby.

The bezel area BZA may be defined adjacent to the display area TA. Asshown in FIG. 1, the bezel area BZA may surround the display area TA.However, this is merely exemplary, and bezel area BZA may be definedadjacent to only one side of the display area TA or may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic device EA may include a firstarea HA. The first area HA (hereinafter, referred to as “hole area” or“first area”) may be an area through which a hole is defined. The imageIM provided from the electronic device EA may be displayed surroundingat least a portion of an edge of the first area HA. As another exemplaryembodiment, the image IM provided from the electronic device EA may bedisplayed through the entire portion of the display area TA includingthe first area HA. That is, the image IM may also be displayed throughthe first area HA.

The window WM may be disposed on a display panel EP and may cover afront surface IS of the display panel EP. The window WM may include anoptically transparent insulating material. For example, the window WMmay be a glass or plastic material. The window WM may have asingle-layer or multi-layer structure.

The display panel EP may include the first area HA and a second area AAsurrounding at least a portion of the first area HA. The second area AA(hereinafter, referred to as “active area” or “second area”) may bedefined as an active area, and the first area HA may be defined as thehole area.

The first area HA may be defined to have a variety of shapes. In someexemplary embodiments, the first area HA is shown as having a generallycircular shape, however, the shape of the first area HA should not belimited to the generally circular shape. That is, the first area HA mayhave a variety of shapes, such as a generally oval shape, a generallyquadrangular shape, or a shape including generally curved and straightsides.

At least a portion of the first area HA may be surrounded by the activearea AA. In some exemplary embodiments, the edge of the first area HAmay be fully surrounded by the active area AA. The first area HA may bedefined at a position that overlaps the display area TA and is spacedapart from the bezel area BZA when the electronic device EA isassembled.

The display area TA may be optically transparent. The display area TAmay have a shape corresponding to that of the active area AA. Forexample, the display area TA may overlap all or a portion of the activearea AA. The image IM displayed through the active area AA of thedisplay panel EP may be viewed from the outside through the display areaTA.

A peripheral area NAA may be defined adjacent to the active area AA. Theperipheral area NAA may surround the active area AA. A driving circuitor a driving line required to drive the active area AA may be arrangedin the peripheral area NAA.

The peripheral area NAA may be covered by the bezel area BZA, and thus,the peripheral area NAA covered by the bezel area BZA may be preventedfrom being viewed from the outside. This is merely exemplary, and thebezel area BZA may be omitted.

A polarizer in the form of a polarizing plate POL may be disposedbetween the window WM and the display panel EP. The polarizing plate POLmay reduce reflectance of external light incident thereto from theoutside of the window WM. Accordingly, external light visibility may beimproved. In some exemplary embodiments, the polarizing plate POL mayinclude a polarizing film.

In some exemplary embodiments, the polarizing plate POL may include atransmission area HA-P and a polarizing area AA-P. The transmission areaHA-P may overlap the hole area HA of the display panel EP. At least aportion of the transmission area HA-P may be at least partiallysurrounded by the polarizing area AA-P. The transmission area HA-P mayoverlap an electronic module EM and may have a light transmittancehigher than that of the polarizing area AA-P of the polarizing platePOL.

An adhesive layer ADL may be disposed between the polarizing plate POLand the window WM and may combine the polarizing plate POL and thewindow WM. The adhesive layer ADL may include an optically clear resin.

The electronic module EM may be disposed under the window WM. Theelectronic module EM may overlap the first area HA of the display panelEP in a plan view. As the electronic module EM overlaps the first areaHA, the size of bezel area BZA may not increase.

The electronic module EM may overlap the transmission area HA-P of thepolarizing plate POL, which overlaps the first area HA. The electronicmodule EM may receive an external input applied thereto through thetransmission area HA-P or may provide an output through the transmissionarea HA-P. The transmission area HA-P may be an area which overlaps acamera module that photographs an external object or an area whichoverlaps a light sensor that senses light. In an exemplary embodiment,the electronic module EM may be the camera module with lens facing thefront surface FS.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the display panel EP isassembled in a generally flat position such that the active area AA andthe peripheral area NAA face the window WM. However, this is merelyexemplary, and a portion of the display panel EP may be bent in theperipheral area NAA. In this case, the portion of the peripheral areaNAA may face a rear surface of the electronic device EA, so that thebezel area BZA on the front surface of the electronic device EA may bereduced. In addition, the display panel EP may be assembled in aposition where a portion of the active area AA is bent. Further, theperipheral area NAA of the display panel EP may be omitted according toanother exemplary embodiment.

The electronic device EA may include a circuit board DC connected to thedisplay panel EP. The circuit board DC may include a flexible board CFand a main board MB. The flexible board CF may include an insulatingfilm and conductive lines mounted on the insulating film. The conductivelines may be connected to pads PD to electrically connect the circuitboard DC to the display panel EP. Various signal lines, the pads PD, orelectronic elements may be arranged in the peripheral area NAA toprovide electrical signals to the active area AA.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible board CF may be assembled in abent position. Accordingly, the main board MB may be disposed on a rearsurface of the display panel EP and may be stably accommodated in aspace provided by a housing HU. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexibleboard CF may be omitted, and in this case, the main board MB may beconnected directly to the display panel EP.

The main board MB may include signal lines and electronic elements. Theelectronic elements may be connected to the signal lines to beelectrically connected to the display panel EP. The electronic elementsmay generate a variety of electrical signals, such as a signal togenerate the image IM or a signal to sense the external input, or mayprocess the sensed signal. The main board MB may be provided in plural,and the main boards MB may respectively correspond to the electricalsignals to be generated and processed, however, they should not beparticularly limited.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa portion of a polarizing plate, which is taken along line II-II′ ofFIG. 2. The polarizing plate POL according to some exemplary embodimentsmay include a polarizer layer PVA and a retarder member POL-RL disposedunder the polarizer layer PVA. The retarder member POL-RL may include aprotective layer PL, and at least one retarder RL1 and RL2. FIG. 4depicts a polarizing plate POL that includes a plurality of retardersRL1 and RL2.

The polarizer layer PVA may be an optical layer that polarizes a lightprovided thereto to one direction. The polarizer layer PVA may include afilm member that is elongated and oriented in a certain direction. Thefilm member may be a polymer film. For example, the elongated polymerfilm may be an elongated polyvinyl alcohol-based film, however, itshould not be limited thereto or thereby.

The polarizer layer PVA may be manufactured by adsorbing alight-absorbing material onto the elongated film member. Thelight-absorbing material may be a dichroic dye or iodine. For example,the polarizer layer PVA may include the polyvinyl alcohol-based filmadsorbed with iodine. The polarizer layer PVA including thelight-absorbing material may absorb a light vibrating in the elongateddirection and may transmit a light vibrating in a vertical directiontherethrough to obtain a polarization axis with a specific vibrationdirection.

The polarizing plate POL may include the first retarder RL1 and thesecond retarder RL2, which are disposed under the polarizer layer PVA.The polarizing plate POL may include one retarder. The first retarderRL1 may be disposed under the second retarder RL2. Each of the firstretarder RL1 and the second retarder RL2 may be an optical layer thatretards a phase of the light provided thereto. The first retarder RL1may be a λ/4 retarder, and the second retarder RL2 may be a λ/2retarder.

Each of the first retarder RL1 and the second retarder RL2 may be aliquid crystal coating layer. The first retarder RL1 and the secondretarder RL2 may be the liquid crystal coating layer formed using areactive liquid crystal monomer. The first retarder RL1 and the secondretarder RL2 may be manufactured by coating, aligning, and polymerizingthe reactive liquid crystal monomer.

The protective layer PL may be disposed between the second retarder RL2and the polarizer layer PVA. The protective layer PL may include aprotective film, and the protective film may be a tri-acetyl cellulose(TAC) film, however, it should not be limited thereto or thereby.

The polarizing plate POL may include at least one adhesive layers AP1and AP2. As shown in FIG. 4, a first adhesive layer AP1 may be disposedunder a first retarder RL1, and a second adhesive layer AP2 may bedisposed under a second retarder RL2. The first adhesive layer AP1 mayattach components disposed under the polarizing plate POL to thepolarizing plate POL. For example, the first adhesive layer AP1 mayattach an upper portion of the display panel EP to the polarizing platePOL. The second adhesive layer AP2 may attach the retarders RL1 and RL2to each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, the polarizing plate POL may include thetransmission area HA-P. The transmission area HA-P may be formed by anexemplary method of manufacturing the electronic device shown in FIG. 5.The transmission area HA-P may include a non-polarization portion NPVA(as depicted in FIG. 6B) from which the light-absorbing materialadsorbed to the film member of the polarizer layer PVA is detached. Dueto the detachment of the light-absorbing material, polarization of thenon-polarization portion NPVA is eliminated, and the light transmittanceof the non-polarization portion NPVA increases. Thus, the lightsensitivity of the electronic module EM that is disposed under thepolarizing plate POL and overlaps the transmission area HA-P mayincrease.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of a method ofmanufacturing an electronic device according to the principles of theinvention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 2 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an operation of themethod of manufacturing the electronic device. FIG. 6B is across-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2 illustratinganother exemplary embodiment of an operation of the method ofmanufacturing the electronic device. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2 illustrating a further exemplaryembodiment of an operation of the method of manufacturing the electronicdevice. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating yet another exemplary embodiment of an operation of themethod of manufacturing the electronic device.

The manufacturing method of the electronic device according to someexemplary embodiments may include providing the display panel (S1),providing the polarizer, which includes the polarizer layer disposed atan outermost layer thereof, on the display panel (S2), irradiating alaser beam onto the polarizer layer (S3), and providing a neutralsolution having a temperature from about 5° C. to about 40° C. to thepolarizer layer irradiated with the laser beam (S4).

The display panel EP provided in the operation (S1) of providing thedisplay panel may include the first area HA and the second area AAsurrounding at least the portion of the first area HA. As an example,the display panel EP in which the first area HA is defined as the holearea may be provided. Details on the display panel EP described abovemay be equally applied to the display panel EP including the hole areaHA. As another example, the display panel EP may be a display panel EPthat includes a pixel layer PXL in the first area HA overlapping theelectronic module EM to allow the image IM to be displayed through thefirst area HA.

In the step of providing the polarizer on the display panel (S2), thepolarizer may be provided in the form of a polarizing plate POL-A. Thepolarizing plate POL-A provided in the operation (S2) of providing thepolarizing plate POL-A on the display panel (S2) may include thepolarizer layer PVA disposed at the outermost layer thereof, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 4. As the polarizer layer PVA isdisposed at the outermost layer of the polarizing plate POL, the neutralsolution NS used to extract the light-absorbing material that isdetached after the laser beam LS is irradiated may be provided to thepolarizer layer PVA.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the irradiating of the laserbeam LS to the polarizer layer PVA of the polarizing plate POL-A. Thelaser beam LS may be irradiated to an area POL-HA of the polarizer layerPVA, which overlaps the first area HA in which the hole is defined. Thelaser beam LS may detach the light-absorbing material included in thepolarizer layer PVA. For example, the iodine adsorbed to the elongatedfilm member may be detached.

The laser beam LS may be light selected from a wavelength range fromabout 340 nm or more and about 810 nm or less. The light correspondingto the wavelength range may be absorbed by the light-absorbing materialadsorbed to the film member, and thus, an electron excitation may occur.For example, the electron excitation may occur in the iodine adsorbed tothe film member by the laser beam LS irradiated to the iodine, and thus,the iodine may dissociate into a monomolecular iodine. As a result, thepolarization of the area POL-HA to which the laser beam LS is irradiatedmay be eliminated, and the light transmittance of the area POL-HA mayincrease.

The laser beam LS may be a continuous wave laser beam. As another way,the laser beam LS may be a pulse laser beam and may have a pulse widthof nanoseconds or more. The laser beam LS may decolorize the polarizerlayer PVA by detaching the dichroic dye or iodine adsorbed to thepolarizer layer PVA without physically removing a polarizing platePOL-A.

The laser beam LS may have an output value in a range equal to orgreater than about 0.5 W and equal to or smaller than about 10 W. Thelaser beam LS having the output value smaller than about 0.5 W may notbe sufficient to cause the detachment of the light-absorbing material.The laser beam LS having the output value exceeding about 10 W may causea damage on the polarizer layer PVA due to the energy of the laser beamLS, and as a result, defects may occur in a surface of the polarizerlayer PVA.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the providing of the neutralsolution NS to the polarizer layer PVA of the polarizing plate POL-Aonto which the laser beam LS is irradiated (S4). The neutral solution NSmay dissolve and extract the light-absorbing material detached from thepolarizer layer PVA onto which the laser beam LS is irradiated, e.g.,the dichroic dye or iodine. As the residual dichroic dye or the iodineis extracted by the neutral solution NS, a color change due to areversible reaction of the residual light-absorbing material does notoccur in the non-polarization portion NPVA, and the light transmittanceof the non-polarization portion NPVA may increase.

The neutral solution NS may have a temperature value in a range equal toor greater than about 5° C. and equal to or smaller than about 40° C.The neutral solution NS having the temperature value below about 5° C.may have a poor solubility and may not be sufficient to dissolve theresidual light-absorbing material. For example, a process time increasesto sufficiently dissolve the residual dichroic dye or iodine in theneutral solution NS having the temperature value below about 5° C. Theneutral solution NS having the temperature value exceeding about 40° C.lowers the polarization degree of a polarization area AA-P included inthe polarizing plate POL-A in the operation of providing the neutralsolution NS.

The neutral solution NS may be a solution having a pH value betweenabout pH 6 and about pH 8. For example, the neutral solution NS may havethe pH value of about pH 7. The neutral solution NS may be a water, suchas distilled, purified, mineral, or tap water, however, it should not belimited thereto or thereby.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views taken along a line I-I′ of FIG.2 to show operations (S3-a and S3-b) of irradiating the laser beam LSonto the polarizing plate POL-A. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary manufacturingmethod of an electronic device that is provided with a display panel EPprovided with a hole area HA defined therein. FIG. 8 shows an exemplarymanufacturing method of an electronic device that includes a polarizerlayer PVA including a plurality of non-polarization portions NPVA.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display panel EP may include a base layer BL, acircuit layer DP-CL, a light emitting element layer DP-OLED, and anencapsulation layer TFE. The circuit layer DP-CL may be disposed on thebase layer BL. The circuit layer DP-CL may include a plurality oftransistors to drive a light emitting element of the light emittingelement layer DP-OLED.

The encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the light emittingelement layer DP-OLED and may cover the light emitting element. Theencapsulation layer TFE may include at least one inorganic layer. Inaddition, the encapsulation layer TFE may include an organic layerdisposed between inorganic layers. The encapsulation layer TFE mayprotect the light emitting element from moisture, oxygen, or a foreignsubstance.

The hole area HA defined through the display panel EP may not overlapthe circuit layer DP-CL and the light emitting element layer DP-OLED ofthe display panel EP. The hole area HA may overlap the electronic moduleEM.

The laser beam LS irradiated onto the polarizing plate POL-A shown inFIG. 7 in the operation (S3-a) may be irradiated onto the area in whichthe hole area HA overlaps the polarizer layer PVA. When the operationsof the irradiating of the laser beam LS and the providing of the neutralsolution NS are performed on the polarizer layer PVA, the lighttransmittance of an area POL-HA onto which the laser beam is irradiatedmay increase. The area POL-HA onto which the laser beam is irradiatedmay overlap the electronic module EM, and thus, a sensitivity of theelectronic module EM that receives the external input may increases.

FIG. 8 shows an operation of irradiating laser beams LS1 and LS2according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, a firstarea HA defined through a display panel EP may overlap a transmissionarea HA-P of a polarizer layer PVA. The laser beams LS1 and LS2 may beirradiated such that a plurality of non-polarization portions NPVA (asdepicted in FIG. 10) is included in the transmission area HA-P. An areaPOL-HA1 onto which the laser beams LS1 and LS2 are irradiated mayoverlap a non-light-emitting area NPA of the display panel EP. Thetransmission area HA-P may include the non-polarization portions NPVAand may include a polarization portion PVA-a (as depicted in FIG. 11)disposed between the non-polarization portions NPVA.

The plural laser beams LS1 and LS2 may be irradiated by at least onelight source LI1 and LI2. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment in whichthe laser beams LS1 and LS2 respectively emitted from the light sourcesLI1 and LI2 are irradiated onto a plurality of areas POL-HA1 of thepolarizer layer PVA.

The non-polarization portions NPVA (as depicted in FIG. 10) may beformed by a mask method. That is, when a mask including a transmissionportion and a non-transmission portion is disposed on the polarizerlayer PVA and the laser beam LS is irradiated, a portion of thepolarizer layer PVA onto which the laser beam LS is irradiated throughthe transmission portion may be formed as the non-polarization portionNPVA. For example, the mask used to form the non-polarization portionNPVA may be a fine metal mask (FMM), however, the exemplary embodimentsare not be limited thereto or thereby. The polarizer layer PVA thatincludes the non-polarization portions NPVA may be formed by providingthe laser beam LS that transmits through a plurality of transmissionportions. In addition, portions in which the non-polarization portionsare formed may overlap the electronic module EM.

The polarizer layer PVA may be patterned to include a plurality NPVAG ofnon-polarization portions NPVA1, NPVA2, and NPVA3 and a polarizationportion PVA-a surrounding the non-polarization portions NPVA1, NPVA2,and NPVA3 as depicted in FIG. 11 through a laser scan method using aplurality of light sources or a mask method. However, the exemplaryembodiments are not limited to the patterned shape shown in FIG. 11.

The display panel EP according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 mayinclude a base layer BL, a pixel layer PXL, and an encapsulation layerTFE. These will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2illustrating another exemplary embodiment of an electronic deviceconstructed according to the principles of the invention. FIG. 10 is across-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2 illustrating afurther exemplary embodiment of an electronic device constructedaccording to the principles of the invention. Hereinafter, differentfeatures of the electronic devices EA-1 and EA-2 from those of FIGS. 1to 8 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, polarizing plates POL-1 and POL-2 mayinclude a retarder member POL-RL and a polarizer layer PVA. The retardermember POL-RL may include retarders RL1 and RL2 as shown in FIG. 4. Thepolarizer layer PVA may include a film member that is elongated and alight-absorbing material adsorbed onto the film member. For example, thepolarizer layer PVA may include a dichroic dye or iodine adsorbed ontothe elongate film member.

The polarizer layer PVA may include a transmission area HA-P. Thetransmission area HA-P may include a non-polarization portion NPVA. Thenon-polarization portion NPVA may have a light transmittance thatincreases by detaching and extracting the light-absorbing materialadsorbed onto the polarizer layer PVA. The light transmittance of thenon-polarization portion NPVA may be about 80% or more in the wavelengthrange of a visible ray.

The non-polarization portion NPVA may overlap a hole area HA definedthrough a display panel EP and an electronic module EM. The electronicmodule EM may be a camera module. The electronic module EM may receivean external input or may provide an output to the outside through thenon-polarization portion NPVA included in the transmission area HA-P.

A base layer BL included in the display panel EP may be a transparentsubstrate. For example, the base layer BL may be a plastic substrate ora glass substrate. The electronic device EA-1 according to someexemplary embodiments may include a window WM and an adhesive layer ADL,which are disposed on the polarizing plate POL-1. The adhesive layer ADLmay be disposed between the window WM and the polarizing plate POL-1.The adhesive layer ADL may adhere the window WM and the polarizing platePOL-1.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the non-polarization portion NPVA may beformed by detaching and extracting the light-absorbing material from thepolarizing plates POL-1 and POL-2, and thus, the light transmittance ofan area of the polarizing plates POL-1 and POL-2 may increase. Since thepolarization is eliminated without a physical perforation, it ispossible to prevent the phenomenon that the display panel in the areawhere the polarizing plate is physically removed is pressed by theadhesive layer.

A display panel EP shown in FIG. 10 may include a base layer BL, a pixellayer PXL disposed on the base layer BL, and an encapsulation layer TFEdisposed on the base layer BL to cover the pixel layer PXL. Theencapsulation layer TFE may include at least one inorganic layer. Inaddition, the encapsulation layer TFE may include an organic layerdisposed between inorganic layers. The inorganic layer may protect thepixel layer PXL from moisture or oxygen. The organic layer may protectthe pixel layer PXL from a foreign substance.

A light emitting element OLED may include a first electrode EL1, asecond electrode EL2 facing the first electrode EL1, and an organiclayer OEL disposed between the first electrode EL1 and the secondelectrode EL2. The organic layer OEL may include a hole transport area,a light emitting layer, and an electron transport area.

The pixel layer PXL may include a transistor to drive the light emittingelement OLED, an insulating layer, and a connection electrode and thefirst electrode EL1 of the light emitting element OLED may be connectedto the connection electrode through a contact hole CNT.

A pixel definition layer PDL may be disposed between the light emittingelement OLED and an adjacent light emitting element. The pixeldefinition layer PDL may include a material that absorbs a light. Thepixel definition layer PDL may overlap a non-light-emitting area NPA.The pixel definition layer PDL may be provided with a pixel opening OPdefined therethrough. A portion of the first electrode EL1 may beexposed through the pixel opening OP of the pixel definition layer PDL.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pixel layer PXL of the display panel EP mayinclude a plurality of light emitting areas PA and a non-light-emittingarea NPA surrounding the plurality of light emitting areas PA. Anelectronic module EM may overlap the light emitting areas PA and thenon-light-emitting area NPA. The electronic module EM may overlap aportion of the light emitting areas PA and a portion of thenon-light-emitting area NPA. And the electronic module EM may overlap atransmission area HA-P included in a polarizer layer PVA. Thetransmission area HA-P may include a plurality of non-polarizationportions NPVA overlapping with a portion of the non-light-emitting areaNPA.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the display panel EP mayinclude the light emitting areas PA that overlap the transmission areaHA-P of the polarizer layer PVA. The image IM (as depicted in FIG. 1)may be provided to a user through the light emitting areas PA includedin the display panel EP overlapping the electronic module EM and thetransmission area HA-P. By maintaining the polarization of the polarizerlayer PVA in a portion of the transmission area HA-P overlapping thelight emitting areas PA, the reflection of the external light reduced,and visibility of an image provided through the transmission area HA-Pmay be improved.

According to some exemplary embodiments, since the electronic module EMis disposed under the display panel EP, increasing the lighttransmittance of the polarizer layer PVA that overlaps the electronicmodule EM is beneficial. The non-polarization portion NPVA maycorrespond to a portion from which a light-absorbing material includedin the polarizer layer PVA, e.g., dichroic dye or iodine, is detached.The light transmittance of the transmission area HA-P may increase bythe non-polarization portions NPVA.

The electronic module EM disposed under the display panel EP may beoperated while eliminating the polarization of the polarizer layer PVAoverlapping the non-light-emitting area NPA on the electronic module EMand maintaining the polarization of the polarizer layer PVA overlappingthe light emitting area PA, and substantially simultaneously, the imageIM may be displayed through a first area HA in which the display panelEP overlaps the electronic module EM. Accordingly, the user may view theimage IM through the wider display area TA.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of apolarizer layer constructed according to the principles of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 11, the non-polarization portions NPVA1,NPVA2, and NPVA3 may be patterned in a substantially constant shape orat substantially regular intervals. The non-polarization portions NPVA1,NPVA2, and NPVA3 may be surrounded by the polarization portion PVA-a.However, the shape of the non-polarization portions NPVA1, NPVA2, andNPVA3 should not be limited to the shape shown in FIG. 11. Thepatterning process may be performed through the laser scan or maskmethod.

The non-polarization portions NPVA1, NPVA2, and NPVA3 may be formed bydetaching and extracting the light-absorbing material adsorbed onto thepolarizer layer PVA without physically removing the polarizer layer PVA.That is, the polarization of an area of the polarizer layer PVA may beeliminated, and thus, the light transmittance may increase. Thepolarization portion PVA-a may overlap a plurality of light emittingareas PA1 and PA2 defined thereunder to reduce the reflection of theexternal light.

FIG. 12 is a graphical depiction illustrating light transmittance as afunction of wavelength according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. An exemplary embodiment of the invention shows the lighttransmittance of the transmission area provided with the neutralsolution at a room temperature after irradiating a nanosecond pulselaser beam having a wavelength value of about 532 nm to the polarizerlayer PVA with an output of about 1.5 W. A comparison example shows thelight transmittance of the polarization area that maintains thepolarization without being irradiated with the laser beam.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the visible light wavelength range, the lighttransmittance of the polarization area of the comparison example ismaintained at a value of about 45% or less. In the visible lightwavelength range, the light transmittance of the transmission area ofthe exemplary embodiment is significantly and maintained at a value ofabout 80% or more, and there is also an area in which the lighttransmittance of the transmission area is maintained at a value of about90% or more.

In addition, in the polarizing plate POL according to the exemplaryembodiment, when the residual dichroic dye or iodine is extracted by theneutral solution NS and the polarizing plate POL is subjected to theunbiased highly accelerated temperature and humidity stress test (Uhast)using high temperature and high humidity as environmental parameters,the color of the polarizing plate POL is not changed and the increasedlight transmittance is maintained. As an example, the color change bythe residual iodine was not observed even after about 500 hours in anenvironment at a temperature of about 65 ° C. and a relative humidity ofabout 90%.

That is, in the case of the exemplary embodiment provided with theneutral solution at a room temperature after being irradiated with thenanosecond pulse laser beam having the wavelength value of about 532 nmat the output of about 1.5 W, it was observed that the polarizationcharacteristics are effectively removed through results thatsignificantly and show the light transmittance equal to or higher thanabout 80%. In addition, it was observed that the polarizationcharacteristics are effectively controlled in the polarizer layer by themethod of the exemplary embodiment through results that show the goodreliability characteristics in the high temperature and high humiditytest conditions.

Manufacturing methods in accordance with the principles and someexemplary implementations of the invention and/or exemplary methods ofthe invention include detaching the adsorbed light-absorbing material byirradiating the polarizer layer with a laser beam and extracting thelight-absorbing material by providing a neutral solution to thepolarizer layer. Accordingly, the color change problem caused by thereversible reaction of the residual light-absorbing material is solved,and the light transmittance is improved. In addition, the lighttransmittance of an area of the polarizer layer may increase withoutphysical perforation of the polarizer layer.

Electronic devices constructed according to principles and someexemplary embodiments of the invention increase the light transmittanceof the area of the polarizing plate, which overlaps the electronicmodule disposed under the display panel. Thus, the electronic moduledisposed under the display panel may receive the input from the outsideor may provide the output to the outside. As another example, it ispossible to provide the image even in the area where the display paneloverlaps the electronic module, and thus, the electronic device may havethe wider display area.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are notlimited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of theappended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in theart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing an electronic device,the method comprising the steps of: providing a display panel; providinga polarizer including a polarizer layer at an outermost layer thereof onthe display panel; irradiating a laser beam onto a portion of thepolarizer layer; and providing a substantially neutral solution having atemperature from about 5° C. to about 40° C. onto the portion of thepolarizer layer irradiated with the laser beam.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength substantially equal to orgreater than about 340 nm and substantially equal to or smaller thanabout 810 nm.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser beam comprisesa continuous wave laser beam.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thelaser beam comprises a pulse laser beam having a pulse width of ananosecond or longer.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser beamhas an output substantially equal to or greater than about 0.5 W andequal to or smaller than about 10 W.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe neutral solution comprises a water.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the polarizer layer comprises an elongated film and alight-absorbing material adsorbed to the elongated film, the step ofirradiating of the laser beam comprises detaching the light-absorbingmaterial, and the step of providing of the neutral solution comprisesextracting the detached light-absorbing material.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the light-absorbing material comprises at least one of iodineand dichroic dye.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the display panelcomprises: a first area defining a hole; and a second area surroundingat least a portion of the first area, with the portion of the polarizerlayer irradiated with the laser beam overlapping the first area.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of irradiating the laser beam ontothe portion of the polarizer layer comprises patterning the portion ofthe polarizer layer to create a plurality of non-polarization portionsand a polarization portion at least partially surrounding thenon-polarization portions.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thenon-polarization portions are made by laser beams emitted from aplurality of light sources.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein thepolarizer comprises a polarizing plate that includes: the polarizerlayer and a protective layer disposed under the polarizer layer; and aretarder disposed under the protective layer.
 13. An electronic devicecomprising: an electronic module; a display panel comprising a firstarea overlapping the electronic module and a second area at leastpartially surrounding at least a portion of the first area; and apolarizer disposed on the display panel and including a polarizer layer,wherein the polarizer layer has a polarization area and a transmissionarea overlapping the first area with at least a portion of thetransmission area comprising a non-polarization portion.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 13, wherein the non-polarization portion hasa light transmittance substantially equal to or greater than about 80%.15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the polarizer layercomprises: an elongated film member; and a light-absorbing materialadsorbed to the film member, and the non-polarization portion of thetransmission area is a portion wherein the light-absorbing material isdetached from the film member.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15,wherein the light-absorbing material comprises at least one of iodineand dichroic dye.
 17. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein thetransmission area comprises: a plurality of non-polarization portions;and a polarization portion at least partially surrounding thenon-polarization portions.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17,wherein the display panel comprises a pixel layer comprising a pluralityof light emitting areas and a non-light-emitting area at least partiallysurrounding the plurality of light emitting areas, and thenon-polarization portions to overlap at least a portion of thenon-light-emitting area.
 19. The electronic device of claim 13, whereinthe electronic module comprises a camera module.
 20. The electronicdevice of claim 13, further comprising: a window disposed on thepolarizer; and an adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and thewindow.